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Monday, August 12, 2013

MET Council Fires William Rapfogel Amid AG Investigation

The New York State
Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman, is investigating allegations of financial
malfeasance involving one of the state’s most influential political power
brokers, William E. Rapfogel, the NY Times reports.

The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, headed by
Rapfogal since 1992 as chief executive and president, issued a statement
announcing Mr. Rapfogel’s immediate termination.

“The board of directors of Met Council recently became aware
of specific information regarding financial irregularities and apparent
misconduct in connection with the organization’s insurance policies,” the
statement read. “The board retained outside counsel to conduct a full
investigation.

Based on that investigation, which is ongoing, the board has
terminated Mr. Rapfogel, effective immediately, and notified the proper
authority.

To date, the investigation has not revealed evidence that
any current employees of Met Council engaged in any wrongdoing.

In a statement, Damien LaVera, a spokesman for Mr.
Schneiderman, said, “This matter is the subject on an ongoing criminal
investigation conducted in conjunction with the Office of the Comptroller as
part of Operation Integrity.

People familiar with the matter told The Times that he was
informed of the board’s decision last week, when he was on vacation, and that
he was not allowed to retrieve most of his personal effects from his office,
because all materials were being reviewed by investigators.

“It is very serious,” said one person who has been briefed
on the allegations, but spoke on condition of anonymity.